Draft-regulator



(.No Model.)

- W. P. GRASSLER.

DRAFT REGULATOR.-

A Harney N. PErERS. Fimo-mgmt@ whingn. llc

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patentd Jan. 8. 1884. nu fq (No Model.) I 2 Sheets-.-Sheet 2.

W. 1". GRASSLBR.

l DRAFT-REGULATOR. No. 291.713. Patented Jan. a'. 1881.

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Nirnn rares VILLIAM F. GRASSLER, OF WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

DRAFT-REGULATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 291,713, dated January 8, 1884.

Application filed August 4, 1883. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. GRAssLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Williamsport, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locomotive-Boiler Furnaces, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in draft-regulators for locomotives, and has for its object to provide an adjustable device for regulating the draft in the smokebox, whereby a more uniform and thorough combustion takes place in the furnace fire-box, preventing the underblast which carries off the unconsumed volatile products of combustion and cinders, forming also a more uniform draft for a greater number of boiler-flues, thus increasing their capacity for generating steam, the draft being so regulated that it will meet the varying demands of the work of combustion, as more fully hereinafter described.

This object I attain by distributing the blast-draft in regulated quantities through a series of openings in the blast-pipe, which is situated in the smoke-box, the openings being opposite the ends of the boiler-fines, as will be set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical section of my regulator. Fig. 2 is a cross-section.

A represents the boiler of a locomotive-engine, of the usual form.

P represents the smoke-box, which has located in it a blast-flue, R, into the lower end of which extend the exhaust-pipes S, which lead from the exhaust-ports of the cylinders of the engine. The flue R is provided with the usual petticoat, T, at the bottom, and is slotted or perforated directly opposite the several series of horizontal boiler-dues u u, so as to create a draft through each. The said flue is provided on its outside with an oversetting jacket, V, which is provided with corresponding openings and with a series of skirts or hoods, X, extending over said openings. The

said jacket fits loosely over the exhaust-flue, and is provided with a crank-shaft, Y, journaled in a stay, Z, on the wall of the smokebox, the said shaft at its outer end having secured to it one end of a rod, A', or other similar attachment, which extends back to the cab, so as to enable the engineer to operate and control the draft.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The exhaust-steam from the cylinders entering the smoke-box at its bottom, a draft from the fire-box is created through the flues of the boiler. The draft at the forward end of the flues, as it enters the smoke-box, is regulated by partially rotating the skirted jacket on the outside of the smoke-box, so as to vary the area of the openings in said box. I am enabled by this arrangement to use a thin bed of coal or fuel in the fire-box, through which sufficient air is passed at will to support an almost perfect combustion, while the blast-draft is so modified in force as not to carry forward through the chimney either cinders or smoke or other volatile furnace products.

Vhen the engine is not running, the construction of the draft-exhaust mechanism permits of a perfect draft by being fully opened.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with the boiler-furnace of a locomotive, of the slotted or perforated eX- haust-flue or draft-regulating pipe located in the smoke-box thereof, the similarly slotted and skirted jacket surrounding said fiue, its slots and skirts being in a plane with the series of horizontal iiues of the boiler, and the mechanism for operating the skirted jacket from the cab, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof' I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM F. GRASSLER.

IVitnesses:

GHAs. D. DAvIs, H. J. ENNIs. 

